A staff member helps a senior citizen take the appointment receipt from a machine dedicated to the elderly and the disabled at Xuanwu Hospital of the Capital Medical University in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 10, 2020. China has launched a three-year campaign to help the country's senior citizens cross the digital divide and enjoy the development of intelligent technology. The government recently issued a plan specifying measures to help the elderly overcome barriers to using smart technologies while maintaining traditional services for them. The plan, issued by the General Office of the State Council, sets objectives for the 2020-2022 period focusing on seven types of services and scenarios frequently encountered by the elderly, such as medical treatment, recreational activities, and civic services. To ensure better access to medical treatment, the plan urged efforts to help the elderly make appointments by providing diversified channels and simplifying the procedures for making appointments online. (Xinhua/Chen Zhonghao)
